At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community land projects and develop innovative funding strategies for local landscapes.
- Company: Join a pioneering organisation focused on community-led land ownership and nature recovery.
- Benefits: Flexible working, opportunities to visit communities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration in a vibrant team.
- Why this job: Be part of a movement that empowers communities to reclaim their land and resources.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management, funding applications, and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Strategic Objectives
- Establish Common as the go‑to organisation for community land acquisitions
- Support the first community land projects to be successful
- Increase the capitalisation of the Community Land Fund
- Launch our BRAVE and ABLE platforms
- Contribute to the structuring and delivery of Common Bioregion 1
Our Strategy for 2026‑2027
Our target is for the acquisition of 250 hectares in community ownership in the next two years of operations, commencing February 2025. We expect this to be comprised of between 3-6 community land projects. These will all be within the UK. By the end of 2027, we will have:
- Raised a targeted £500k Seed‑B funding round (2026)
- Delivered at least two projects per year through the Community Land Fund
- R&D'd and shipped a minimum‑viable tech product for BRAVE, a blended risk and value community MRV platform
- R&D'd and shipped a minimum‑viable tech product for ABLE, an app store for land‑based enterprises
- Published our first impact report, covering natural, social, and commercial value generation and distribution
- Quantified, using both BRAVE and independent validation, the social and environmental return on investment of our Community Land Fund
- Further researched and developed, and progressed towards our 2030 goals
- Raised a £3‑5mn Series‑A funding round (2027)
- Formalised the ‘Nature Supergroup’
- Made progress towards raising a first £500mn Bioregional Financing Facility
Location: Somerset House, London / Hybrid (preference for candidates within commutable distance of the office)
Role Overview
Directly reporting to the CEO, your role will encompass all areas of developing this key market intervention, as well as some of the day‑to‑day operational tasks of running Common.
Responsibilities
- Pipeline Development
- Further develop and implement our marketing strategy including attendance of relevant industry events to ensure a steady stream of inbound project enquiries
- Conduct due diligence on new leads including assessing the capability and needs of community organisations, and the environmental potential for sites
- Employ and help evolve Common’s ‘Bain Matrix’ for project assessment
- Refer suitable projects for REACH fund grants (England only), and build pipeline for this workstream
- Produce due diligence packs for our funders for internal sign‑off where required
- Negotiate with landowners and agents on behalf of communities
- Liaise with and promptly answer queries from our solicitor for sites in conveyancing
- Complete all loan documentation needed to complete on deals including option agreements with community groups
- Portfolio Monitoring
- Work with communities to co‑design project‑bespoke impact monitoring processes
- Conduct quarterly monitoring on projects, tracking community fundraising process against targets and intervene where these may fall behind
- Complete regular reporting to funders
- Produce annual impact reports for funded projects demonstrating uplifts against our 4 Pillars framework
- Monitor funding utilisation and forecasts to ensure funding is effectively recycled into new projects as repayments are made
- Contribute to development of BRAVE, Common’s Community MRV tool
- Funding
- Identify new grant and loan opportunities to increase the scale of the CLF
- Progress pre‑identified funding applications to further capitalise the CLF, and provide capacity‑building grants for communities
- Process annual interest payments to lenders
- Fund Development
- Work with our lawyers to ensure that, as the facility scales, the fund operates in compliance with all applicable regulations
- Promote the Community Land Fund at events and online
- Develop relationships with funders, landowners, umbrella organisations, and community organisations
- General
- Work with the CEO to promote Common as a leading organisation in the UK Nature Recovery sector
- Help maintain the website, with our supplier, which may include producing blog posts, project profiles, and development of web forms etc
- Write, distribute and follow up on contracts including Service Agreements with community organisations for ongoing services
- Assist the CEO, working with our Accountant and Bookkeeper, to ensure invoices are raised and paid, and that quarterly management accounts are produced
- Contribute to quarterly Board and Advisory Board meetings, including production of Board papers
Work will normally be at the London office, at Somerset House. However, you will be free to work from anywhere, with occasional team meetings and strategy days outside London. You will also have the opportunity to spend time visiting communities and wild natural landscapes across the UK. May occasionally be required to travel between different community projects and meetings with partners, or to national or regional events. A driving licence would be advantageous though not essential.
Common’s Community Land Fund enables any community to buy and manage local landscapes. It aligns crowdfunding with institutional investment, vesting long‑term ownership directly in new community‑led organisations. It does so through its pioneering Community Land Fund, co‑designed (and invested) with the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. This wholly‑owned and asset‑locked CIC acquires land on behalf of communities, then supports them to fundraise to acquire from Common, while developing with them land management and nature‑based enterprise strategies for long‑term conservation and economic and social resilience.
You will usually work a standard full‑time week, four days per week, rising to five with the growth of our project portfolio and by mutual agreement. The hours may vary with some evening, weekend, or bank holiday work required.
Community Land Fund Manager employer: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Common is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact in the community land sector from our vibrant location at Somerset House, London. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we foster a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and creativity, while providing flexible working arrangements and opportunities to engage with diverse communities across the UK. Join us to be part of a pioneering initiative that not only supports local landscapes but also empowers individuals and organisations to thrive sustainably.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Land Fund Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events and connect with people in the community land sector. It's all about who you know, and these connections can lead to opportunities that aren't even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to organisations like Common directly, express your interest, and ask if they have any upcoming projects or needs where you could fit in.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your enthusiasm for community land projects and how you can contribute to their goals. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Utilise our website! Keep an eye on the careers section at StudySmarter for new roles and updates. Applying through our site gives you a direct line to us and shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Land Fund Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Community Land Fund Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with our strategic objectives, like community engagement and project management.
Show Your Passion:We love seeing candidates who are genuinely passionate about community land projects and environmental sustainability. Share your personal connection to these topics in your application to stand out!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your qualifications without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can get back to you quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
✨Know Your Community Land Fund
Before the interview, dive deep into the Community Land Fund's mission and recent projects. Familiarise yourself with their strategic objectives and how they align with your own values. This will help you articulate why you're passionate about the role and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage community projects, conduct due diligence, or negotiate with stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easy for the interviewer to see your impact.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Community Land Fund's future projects, their approach to community engagement, or how they measure success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like assessing a new community project or dealing with funding challenges. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and be ready to discuss your thought process and decision-making strategies.
